AFA Colorado Springs Chapter Spreads Holiday Joy to Military Kids

AFA’s Lance P Sijan Chapter #125 volunteers gathered at Walmart to shop for 12 military kids as part of Colorado Springs Early Connections Learning Centers Stockings for Kids program on November 29, 2025. Chapter President Col. Dave Geuting, USAF (Ret.), and VP of Communications, Jennifer Hall, delivered 12 overflowing gift bags to the Early Connections downtown center where they were packaged up in giant red and green bags to be sent home with the children’s parents or guardians. Each child received much needed winter wear, clothes, shoes, educational books, and a requested activity or toy, ensuring a joyful holiday for them and their families during difficult times following the lengthy government shutdown.

Early Connections Learning Centers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable early child education and care for children in Colorado Springs. While at the center, Geuting had the privilege of touring the 130-year-old historic day nursery building and he and Hall shared some old-fashioned Christmas cookies with the staff.

The Sijan Chapter “adopted” all 12 kids that Early Connections had enrolled from Air Force, Space Force, and Army families. They supported the sponsorship with a contribution of $1,500, partially funded through member donations specifically for this activity.